Welcome back to the Disneyland Resort, today we look at all the changes and refurbishments going on during this slow season. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy your Disneyland Photo Update.
Let’s start off with a rumor that will make some of you very happy and upset others.
RUMOR PATROL – This may be your last week to buy an annual pass with the monthly payment plan option. All signs point to new annual pass pricing rolling out this coming Sunday. The good news is that prices shouldn’t be going up very much and in some cases may even be cheaper than current prices (on renewals). We know the park has been struggling with how to deal with pass holder overcrowding at the resort and payment plans are seen as the main culprit. It’s very likely that the payment plan option will either be completely removed or only remain available for renewals. This is a good time for you to buy that pass or renew . . . just in case.
| Castle Clutter |
Am I Blue
Disney recently had to cover the original rooftops on the castle with the old 60th diamond toppers, likely as a result of damage from various castle overlays. While the diamonds don’t look so bad, The silver straps from the 60th were covered with blue tape so they won’t stand out. Sadly, the tape is already coming off due to the recent rains.
It’s not just the rooftops which are having trouble. Paint is beginning to peel off parts of the facade as well.
Work is also continuing on Snow White’s Grotto.
It appears that Disney is completely replacing the waterfall and cleaning up the Italian statues while the Grotto is being reconstructed.
| Disneyland |
Main Street
Disney has not yet removed these extended lighting poles that are used during Halloween parties and again for Candlelight.
Another Old Favorite Returns
On Friday Remember…Dreams Come True returned to Disneyland. This show, first created for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary, is still an all time favorite. There is one great new surprise for this beloved show, brand new projections on the castle complement the show perfectly and are bright and very well done.
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Full Video
Of course, there’s another old classic back in the park right now. Let’s not forget the Main Street Electrical Parade, which continues to draw in big crowds.
Adventureland
The World Famous Jungle Cruise has returned from refurb. No noticeable changes, just some minor refurbishment to the queue.
Frontierland
Last week we showed you a building that we thought looked like a new Fastpass distribution location. That building has been moved and is the new entrance of Big Thunder Mountain.
Meanwhile, work continues on Tom Sawyer’s Island as Fantasmic receives some major stage upgrades.
New Orleans Square
Pirates goes down for a little refurbishment today. The attraction is scheduled to return Thursday, March 16th.
Haunted Mansion has returned to normal. The Fastpass distribution remains open. The daily wait times often result in a queue running out the gate and into the little park . With the new MaxPass coming, Disney should really consider carefully which attractions they add it to. The Haunted Mansion used to be an attraction that you could almost just walk up to at any time of the day, now they have to consider adding extended queues in the surrounding areas.
Nearby, the train station remains open to guests even though the train itself won’t start running again until summer (at the earliest).
Star Wars Land Construction
Work continues to plug along on the much-anticipated new Star Wars land.
From Inside the park…
Fantasyland
Starting today, Matterhorn goes down for a multi-week refurbishment. Maybe they can get the rough kinks out of the track. That’s one painful ride.
Work has also concluded on “it’s a small world” as it returns from its Holiday look. There have been a few expected changes to queue entrance… which hints of MaxPass on the horizon.
The new wait time display board is back-lit at night. It also blinks…
The signs overhead of the entrance looks to be easily changed for Standby and Fastpass.
Down at the station the lines for the gate have gone from slanted to perfectly straight. Cast Members are not hesitant to express their joy in the change up.
Some nice shirts from Le Petit Chalet…
Toontown
The plunger at the Fireworks Factory is still missing.
Tomorrowland
This week some refurbishment work occurred on the center divider of the land.
Because of the small walkway in front of Star Tours, Cast Members are being forced to make the land entrance being one way all day long.
There’s construction between Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear.
| Disney California Adventure |
Buena Vista Street
i
Grizzly Peak
Work continues on Grizzly River Run. The attraction should return sometime in March.
Meanwhile, work continues on Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Paradise Pier
Lunar New Year ended yesterday and with it goes the fun entertainment and food.
Food and Wine: A lesson learned…
Since bringing Food and Wine back to DCA, Disney has also hosted a Festival of Holidays and Lunar New Year festival. During the last big food festival, The Festival of Holidays, Disney had food prices that matched full-size meals at the surrounding quick service but at bite-size portions. That’s just not right. Disney adjusted prices downward slightly during the Lunar New Year event, but it was still too expensive. If Disney wants guest satisfaction and sales to increase for these events, It’s my opinion that they really need to get these bite sized snacks closer to the $5 mark. The food and entertainment has been great at all of these events, it’s just price that’s unreasonable.
The Mulan Procession is a very quick show that uses the Acrobats of China to fill most of the shows spots.
New Years Wishes are very popular kiosk…
Disneyland’s Popcorn Bucket is not to be outdone by the same deal here in DCA
At Goofy’s Sky School what look like Fastpass+ touch points have been installed.
Over at Midway Mania work is occurring across from the entrance what might be for Fastpass Terminals.
Cars Land
Hollywood Land
Over at Studio Catering Co. they have Tat-chos. Nope, it does not look too appetizing. Have any of you tried these?
In a few weeks, Sunset Theater will be hosting the Beauty and the Beast Preview.
Frozen is back in the news this week. They have shortened the show, but just by shaving a few things down. For example, they have completely cut the opening Ice Carving scene, making the new opening when Ana has her head accident.
| Downtown Disney and Resort Look |
Downtown Disney
The walls around Curl Surf have come down and the shelves are fully merchandised. The shop should be open within the week.
Work continues on Splitsville (The old House of Blues). The site is now completely flat, with basement still intact, it should not be long until the new building goes vertical.
And for some reason, Disney has not removed these Christmas ornaments from Downtown Disney.
Eastern Gateway
Work is underway again at the new parking structure behind the old Carousel Hotel. After an early start last year which cleared the site, progress seemed to stall for months. Now, dirt is moving again and trucks are pulling in and out of the site. A few of the businesses along Harbor Boulevard are putting together an Anti-Disney Movement to prevent the cross-walk from being removed at Harbor completely. A bridge is much safer and better for traffic flow than a crosswalk. We hope that Disney sticks to their guns on this one and that the city continues to support the bridge.
Mickey and Friends Structure
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| Thank you! | |
| All of us on the Disneyland Photo Update crew would like to thank you for joining us today. Each week we’ll feature different photographers and commentators (often more than one). Today’s MiceChat Disneyland Update was shot and assembled by Brian Pinsky with additional photo contributions from Scott Attula and Dusty Sage. |
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That’s it for this week’s Update. Are you a photographer? Do you love the parks? Would you like to contribute to the Disneyland Update or other MiceChat columns? Contact Dusty Sage: [email protected]
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